Obesity drug use rockets
Figures released yesterday show that nearly 500,000 was spent administering various weight-loss drugs by NHS Lothian as the area battles against an obesity timebomb.
While it is a rise of 1,500 in the space of 12 months, it compares with merely 200 tablets prescribed by GPs in 1999.
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Hide AdThe statistics were released by ISD Scotland, the official gatherer of health data in the country.
Public health minister Shona Robison said: "Any decision about prescribing a weight-loss drug is a clinical judgement made between a doctor and their patients.
"The Scottish Government have a range of initiatives under way to improve diet, increase physical activity and tackle unhealthy weight."